Organizer for Dress Uniform Accoutrements

ABSTRACT

The dress uniform organizer ( 20 ) holds an assortment of uniform accoutrements in an organized fashion. The body ( 22 ) of organizer ( 20 ) is divided into sections that hold various uniform accoutrements. Each section includes one or more rows of accoutrement-holding pockets ( 30   a - 30   g ) that may have transparent covers. A row of medal holders with pinning boards ( 39, 37, 35 ) and pivotally attached pinning flaps ( 38, 36, 34 ) hold dress uniform medals and buttons. The medals are stored on the pinning flaps ( 38, 36, 34 ) by pushing the medal mounting pins through the material of the pinning flaps ( 38, 36, 34 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to portable storage devices for carrying garment accessories, and more particularly to a storage device for organizing accessories associated with uniforms.

BACKGROUND ART

For members of uniformed services, it is particularly important that the uniforms be worn with a fastidious correctness. The members of the military, police personnel, and other uniformed personnel are expected to wear their uniforms with pride, and with every minor detail of the uniform in a correct and neat fashion.

A distinctive part of many types of uniforms is the set of accoutrements worn with the uniform to reflect the rank, status, and accomplishments of the wearer. As an example, the working uniform of an officer in the United States Navy might require a collar pin appropriate to the rank of the officer, and a pin device worn on the cap indicating both the branch of service and the military rank of the office. On a different uniform, an officer might wear shoulder-mounted devices or shoulder boards to indicate the officer's rank in place of the cap and collar devices. On the jersey or jacket of the uniform, the officer might wear military ribbons above his left pocket, as well as a pin indicating the particular service specialty of the officer (e.g. submarine officer, surface warfare specialist, or pilot). Typically, an officer wears a nametag on the right side of the uniform.

In addition, the officer may have a variety of additional uniforms for formal and semi-formal occasions. For example the officer may have formal uniforms, such as dress uniforms and dinner dress uniforms for evening occasions, full dress uniforms for special occasions, service dress uniforms for traveling, and working uniforms for everyday use. With more formal uniforms, the officer may wear medals in place of ribbons. A set of miniature medals are worn with the more formal uniforms, while large medals are worn with full dress uniforms. Ribbons are worn with service dress and working uniforms.

In addition to the uniforms worn for differing occasions, there are seasonal uniforms of differing colors. Naval uniforms may be white, dark blue, or khaki colored. A colored belt is worn with the different uniforms. Additionally, some uniforms have accoutrements peculiar to that particular uniform. For example, a garrison cap with a khaki-colored cover is worn with the khaki working uniform, while a white-colored cover is worn with all other uniforms. The service dress blue uniform requires a necktie, while a bow tie is worn with dinner dress uniforms. The shirts and jackets worn with the formal uniform require special button studs, sleeve studs or cufflinks, and jacket button studs. The dinner dress uniform includes a cummerbund.

Personnel in other branches of military services may have similar or even more elaborate uniform variations and require an even larger variety of uniform accoutrements. Additional uniform accoutrements include gloves, epaulets, brassards, aiguillettes, and insignia for a particular office, such as a presidential aide.

While military personnel have an extensive array of accoutrements to manage, other uniformed personnel may have similar needs for organizing their uniform accessories. Examples of others wearing an array of uniforms with accoutrements include public safety personnel, such as police officers and fire department personnel.

The large number of accoutrements required for uniforms can be stored in a drawer or a variety of storage bins, but these solutions are less than optimal because it is difficult to identify whether the set of accoutrements is complete without doing a lengthy inventory of the accoutrements. In particular, small items, such as button studs, are difficult to keep track of. An organizer that enables verifying quickly that all required accoutrements are present would be desirable.

One issue compounding the organizing of accoutrements for military personnel is that such personnel may travel frequently between temporary duty stations. A uniform accoutrement organizer that is portable and easily stored in a small storage space would facilitate military personnel having the proper accoutrements at hand to support each of their uniforms.

Medals present unique issues. Military medals are required to be worn in a precise order and arrangement. The medals are not attached to the uniform individually, but are mounted to a common backing. The medals are arranged in rows of three or four, depending on the requirements of the particularly branch of service, and are mounted so that the lower portion of each medal in a row is at the same level. Arranging the medals in accordance with military requirements is a meticulous task. It is desirable that the storage system for medals be designed to preserve the arrangement during storage and transport.

Thus, an organizer for dress uniform accoutrements solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements is a device for holding an assortment of differing uniform accoutrements in an organized fashion. The body of the organizer is a flexible material, such as a durable fabric, to which are attached sections of holders for holding uniform accoutrements. Each section includes one or more rows of accoutrement-holding pockets attached to the body of the organizer. The pockets may have transparent covers. The pockets are provided with closure elements, such as zippers. A row of pinning boards is provided with pivotally attached pinning flaps for holding medals, studs and buttons. Each pinning flap is made of a flexible material, and each pinning board is adapted to fit within medal holder pockets on the body of the organizer. The medals are stored on the pinning flaps by pushing the mounting pins of the medals through the mesh material of the pinning flaps. The pinning flaps for buttons and studs are provided with openings, such as slits or holes that simulate the mounting means provided for these items on the uniform. The buttons and studs are mounted to the button pinning flap using the hardware provided for uniform wear.

The front of an accoutrement pocket may include a transparent or translucent cover, allowing viewing the contents of the accoutrement pocket without the need to open the pocket. An accoutrement pocket may be provided with a fastener, such as a zipper or a hook and loop fastening system.

A pouch for holding additional uniform accoutrements may be provided. The pouch is provided with a releasable attachment means, such as snaps or buttons, for attaching the pouch to the body of the organizer. In the preferred embodiment, the pouch is attachable to the bottom of the organizer body.

In one embodiment of the organizer, the accoutrement holders are arranged so that the organizer may be folded into a compact arrangement. The accoutrement holding sections are separated by folding sections that form the edges of the folded arrangement. The folding sections may be empty portions of the organizer body, or, alternatively, may hold accoutrement sections adapted to hold small or flexible items that will not interfere with folding the organizer into a folded compact arrangement.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of an organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a detachable pouch for transport and storage of the organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are perspective views showing progressive stages of the process of rolling up the organizer into a compact configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the medal and button/stud storage area of the organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An organizer 20 for dress uniform accoutrements in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5.

FIGS. 1 and 2 provide an appreciation of the organizer 20 in an unfolded configuration. The organizer 20 has a body 22 made up of a flexible durable material, such as a strong fabric material. Attached to the front face of the body 22 are storage arrangements for holding the various dress uniform accoutrements. The top portion of the organizer 20 has a cover flap for providing protection to the organizer 20 in the folded configuration. A hook and loop fastening system adapted for attaching a nametag 21 or other insignia may be provided on the front of the cover flap. Attached to the top of the cover flap is a strap 44 that may be used to hang the organizer 20 from a support, such as a peg provided on a free standing clothing rack or in a closet. Attached to the strap 44 may be hardware, such as a hook 48 and a loop 46. The loop 46 or hook 48 may be used to attach the organizer 20 to a supporting means. Quick release buckle section 42 a may also be attached to strap 44 and used in conjunction with quick release buckle section 42 b on the rear surface of body 22 as a closing means for the organizer 20 when in the folded condition. A removable pouch 24 attachable to the lower portion of the organizer body 22 may be provided.

In the illustrated embodiment, accoutrement pockets 30 a-30 g are attached to the upper portion of the organizer 20. The upper pockets are arranged in one or more rows, with a first row comprising pockets 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and 30 d, and a second row comprising 30 e, 30 f, and 30 g. Any number of rows of pockets may be provided. Each row may contain one or more pockets. The pockets may extend across the entire width of the body of the organizer, or may cover a more limited extent. The pockets are provided with fastening means, such as zippers or hook and loop fasteners, for closing the pockets. The front of the pockets may be completely or partially made of a transparent or translucent material through which the accoutrements or other contents of the pocket may be viewed.

Attached to the organizer body 22 below the upper section of pockets is a row consisting of a single pocket 32. This pocket 32 may be adapted to hold flexible items, such as ties or belts.

Attached to the organizer body 22 and below the tie or belt holding pocket 32 is a row of accoutrement holders adapted for holding medals, buttons and studs. The medal and button/stud accoutrement area includes medal holder pockets 88, 86, and 84 adapted to hold a plurality of pinning boards 39, 37, and 35, with each pinning board having a pinning flap 38, 36, and 34, respectively, of flexible material pivotally attached thereto along one edge of the board. The front of the holder pockets 88, 86, and 84 may be completely or partially made of a transparent or translucent material through which the accoutrements or other contents of the holder may be viewed.

Below the medal and button/stud storage area is a row of lower pockets 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. These pockets are adapted for holding relatively tall accoutrements. For example, the first pocket 50 a in the row may hold large “hard” shoulder boards indicating the rank of a military person. The middle pocket 50 b may hold a ribbon bar assembly holding one or more rows of ribbons indicating the awards or indications of merit earned by a military person. The third pocket 50 c in the row holds a set of smaller “soft” shoulder boards that may be worn by military personnel in lieu of the “hard” shoulder boards on a particular dress or service uniform.

The details of the reverse side of the organizer 20 may be appreciated by referring to FIG. 2. A cummerbund pocket 26 is attached to a rear surface of the body 22 of the organizer 20. An organizer closing mechanism may be attached on the rear surface for holding the organizer 20 in a compact arrangement after closing.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower pouch 24 is provided with one or more pouch straps 60. Each pouch strap 60 is provided with one or more releasable fasteners, such as a button or snap 74, so that the pouch 24 may be detached from the body 22 of the organizer 20. Detaching the pouch 24 reduces the vertical space required to store the organizer 20 in an opened vertical condition. In an alternate embodiment, the pouch 24 may be attached to the body 22 of the organizer 20 using a non-detachable fastener.

Details of an embodiment of the lower pouch 24 may be appreciated by referring to FIG. 3. The lower pouch 24 may include one or more compartments for storing uniform accoutrements. In the illustrated embodiment, the pouch 24 is subdivided into three compartments 62, 64, and 66. A first compartment 66 (shown in FIG. 4A) located on the rear of the pouch 24 and a second compartment 62 on the front of the pouch 24 are provided with a zipper fastener 72, while the center pocket or compartment 64 is provided with a zipper fastener 70. Any suitable closing fastener may be used for the compartments of the pouch 24 including buttons, snap fasteners, buckle fasteners, zippers or hook and loop fasteners.

Referring now to FIG. 5, details of the facilities provided for holding medals and buttons and studs may be appreciated. A plurality of pinning boards 39, 37, and 35 is provided. The pinning boards 39, 37, and 35 are preferably made of a rigid material, such as a hard plastic, or other material that may be firmly held within medal holder pockets 88, 86, and 84, and each includes a pinning flap 38, 36 and 34, respectively, made of flexible mesh material. The pinning flaps 38, 36, and 34 are pivotally attached to their respective pinning board 39, 37, 35 along an upper edge 33 thereof in any suitable manner, e.g., stitching, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, a flexible sleeve, etc. Uniform accoutrements, such as medals or ribbons, are provided with mounting posts or pins for attachment to a uniform. These items may be attached to a pinning flap by pushing the pins of the medals or ribbons through the openings of the mesh material of the flap. In the illustrated embodiment, two separate types of mesh material used for medal pinning flaps are provided, with a first, small-opening mesh material being provided with pinning flaps 38 and 34 to accommodate large medals 52 and small medals 54. Medals may be pinned to the medal pinning flaps so that the orientation when pinned simulates the arrangement of the medals when worn on the uniform, allowing a quick inspection of the medals to verify that they medals are properly positioned. The position of the medals may be adjusted while the medals are pinned to the medal pinning flaps. The vertical, hanging position of the medals also protects the fabric portion of the medals from damage or creasing during storage.

A second, large-opening type of mesh material is used for the pinning flap and is provided for accommodating such items as buttons, studs, and tie clips. The stud storage flap is provided with larger mesh openings to accommodate studs, clips, and buttons and similar items, which are attached to the uniform by the means of rear fasteners, which push through openings in the uniform. The stud storage flap is provided with openings that mimic the openings of a uniform. For such items as cufflinks and buttons 58 intended to engage buttonhole-shaped openings in a uniform, openings are provided through which these items may engage the stud storage flap. For such items as studs that are mounted through circular openings in a uniform, openings are provided in the stud storage flap through which the studs may be mounted. Such items as tiepin 56 may also be clipped through an opening in the stud pinning flap.

The pinning boards 39, 37, and 35 and pivotally attached pinning flaps 38, 36, and 34 comprise medal holder inserts. The medal holders are arranged in a single row on the body 22 of the organizer. The medal holders are adapted to be contained within medal holder pockets 88, 86, and 84. In use, the medal holders may be completely removed from the pockets 88, 86, and 84, or the medal holders (including both the pinning boards 39, 37 and 35 and the pinning flaps 38, 36, and 34) may be inserted into the pockets 88, 86, and 84, or only the pinning boards 39, 37, and 35 may be inserted into the pockets 88, 86, and 84 with the flaps 38, 36 and 34 pivotally disposed outside the pockets 88, 86, and 84, which facilitates using two hands for the attachment of medals to, and the removal of medals from, the pinning flaps 38, 36, and 34. The medal holder pockets 88, 86, and 84 may be completely or partially made of a transparent or translucent material through which the accoutrements or other contents of the medal holders may be viewed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the organizer 20 is designed to allow folding of the organizer 20 into a compact arrangement while holding uniform accoutrements in an organized arrangement. By referring to FIGS. 1, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D, details of a preferred embodiment of the organizer 20 providing for a compact, folded arrangement may be appreciated.

The rows of accoutrement holders are spaced so that spacing between rows or groups of rows will be placed along the edge of the fold arrangement, while a row or groups of rows containing rigid uniform accoutrements will be placed along a flat portion of the folded arrangement. Groups of rows holding rigid uniform accoutrements may be adjacent, forming a single section of accoutrement holders when the section as a whole can occupy a single face of the folded arrangement.

FIG. 4A shows the organizer 20 lying face up on a horizontal supporting surface after the initial fold is made. The lower pouch 24 has been folded over the pouch straps 60 so that the lower pouch 24 covers the lower row of uniform accoutrements. The pouch straps 60 are sufficiently long to act as a hinge point, allowing the pouch 24 containing stored uniform accoutrements to be folded on top of the lower row of accoutrements. Because the flat portion of the fold is on top of the lower row of pockets, the organizer 20 can be folded without compromising rigid items that may be stored in the pockets, such as shoulder boards or rows of ribbons.

As shown in FIG. 4B, after making the first fold, the upper edge of the folded portion falls below an empty fold space 90 on the body 22 of the organizer 20. The folded portion of the organizer 20 can be folded using the fold space 90 as a hinge point so that the folded portion covers the medals, and lands below the tie compartment 32.

As shown in FIG. 4C, when the tie compartment 32 holds flexible items, such as ties, the tie compartment 32 may serve as the hinge point for further folding the lower portion of the organizer 20. Folding the lower portion of the organizer over the tie compartment 32 results in covering up the uppermost row of accoutrement compartments, resulting in a compact arrangement. As shown in 4D, the compact arrangement may be held securely closed by folding the upper flap of the organizer body 22 over the folded portion of the organizer 20, and use of a quick release button comprising members 42 a and 42 b.

In the described embodiment, sections of the organizer 20 are described as being designated for holding particular uniform items. In an alternative embodiment, the particular position of the rows for holding particular uniform accoutrements may vary. For example, the shoulder board holding rows may be located in an upper or central section of the organizer 20 rather than at the bottom of the organizer 20. A given section of the organizer 20 may be comprised of any number of rows, with the height of the rows determining the minimum compact size into which the organizer may be folded when rigid items are stored in the pockets.

The organizer 20 is described as having folding spaces acting as a folding hinge for folding the organizer into a compact arrangement. The folding spaces in the described embodiment comprise either a horizontal space on the organizer body 22 that is not occupied by a storage pocket, or a second folding space, comprising a row occupied by one or more accoutrement pockets adapted for holding flexible uniform items. In an alternative embodiment, the folding spaces may comprise any combination of empty rows and rows of pockets adapted for holding flexible uniform items. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An organizer for dress uniform accoutrements, comprising: an essentially planar body made of a flexible material, the body having a front surface and a rear surface; at least one medal and stud storage section having at least one row of planar medal holder pockets disposed on the front surface of the body; a plurality of planar medal holders, each of the medal holders having a pinning board and a pinning flap of flexible material pivotally attached along an edge of the pinning board, the medal holders including at least one medal holder having a button-mounting pinning flap, each of the medal holders being removably inserted within a corresponding one of the medal holder pockets; and at least one planar accoutrement holding section having at least one row of accoutrement pockets attached to the body, the accoutrement holding section being adapted for general uniform accoutrement storage.
 2. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 1, further comprising a pouch, the pouch being detachably connected to a bottom portion of the body, the pouch having a plurality of resealable compartments.
 3. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 2, further comprising means for hanging the organizer in a vertical orientation.
 4. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 3, wherein the means for hanging the organizer in a vertical orientation comprises a hook extending from a top portion of the body.
 5. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 2, further comprising means for securing the organizer in a folded orientation.
 6. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 5, wherein the means for securing the organizer in a folded orientation comprises a quick release buckle attached to said body.
 7. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 1, wherein a portion of each said accoutrement pocket is made from a transparent or translucent material through which the accoutrements may be viewed.
 8. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 1, wherein a portion of each said medal holder pocket is fabricated from a transparent or translucent material through which medals and studs attached to the pinning flaps may be viewed.
 9. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 1, wherein the accoutrement pockets further comprise a fastener attached to said body for closing the accoutrement pockets.
 10. An organizer for dress uniform accoutrements, comprising: an essentially planar body made of a flexible material having a front surface and a rear surface; at least one medal and stud storage section having at least one row of medal holder pockets disposed on the front surface of the body; a plurality of planar medal holders, each of the medal holders having a pinning board and a pinning flap of flexible material pivotally attached along an edge of the pinning board, the medal holders including at least one medal holder having a button-mounting pinning flap, each of the medal holders being removably inserted within a corresponding one of the medal holder pockets; and a pouch, the pouch being detachably connected to a bottom portion of the body, the pouch having a plurality of resealable compartments.
 11. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 10, further comprising means for hanging the organizer in a vertical orientation.
 12. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 11, wherein the means for hanging the organizer in a vertical orientation comprises a hook extending from a top portion of the body.
 13. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 10, further comprising means for securing the organizer in a folded orientation.
 14. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 13, wherein the means for securing the organizer in a folded orientation comprises a quick release buckle attached to said body.
 15. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 10, further comprising at least one accoutrement holding section having at least one row of accoutrement pockets attached to the body, the accoutrement holding section being adapted for general uniform accoutrement storage.
 16. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 15, wherein a portion of each said accoutrement pocket is made from a transparent or translucent material through which the accoutrements may be viewed.
 17. The organizer for dress uniform accoutrements according to claim 10, wherein a portion of each said medal holder pocket is made from a transparent or translucent material through which medals and studs attached to the pinning flaps may be viewed. 